Teresópolis (Brazil): Brazil’s national squad ran a gauntlet of protesters Monday as they reported for World Cup training against a backdrop of public anger over spending on the tournament.
“An educator is worth more than Neymar,” chanted a group of 200 striking teachers, referring to Brazil’s star striker, as the team bus edged through the protesters on its way from Rio de Janeiro’s international airport to the base camp where the squad will train before playing Croatia in the World Cup opening match on June 12.
Despite a heavy police presence, the demonstrators managed to hold up the team’s convoy long enough to plant anti-World Cup stickers on their bus before it finally cleared the throng.
At the squad’s training complex, where they were met by more protests, technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira downplayed the demonstrations and said Brazilians overwhelmingly supported the team.
Make of it what you will, I believe the team is the cultural and sporting heritage of the Brazilian people. The people are going to support the team throughout the World Cup, I don’t have the slightest doubt of that. No one is against the ‘selecao,'” said Parreira, who coached Brazil’s 1994 World Cup-winning team.” (AP)
